NOTES 5.

LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
• describe the moment of a force and relate this to everyday examples
• Define and apply moment of a force( or torque) = force x perpendicular distance from the pivot.

1. The turning effect of a force is called the _______________ of a force.

2. The moment of a force can cause an object to turn in a ____________________ or an

____________________ direction.

Example:

3. In definition:

The moment of a force, M about a pivot is the product of the _______________ and the
_________________________ from the line of action of the force to the__________.

4. In symbols,

Where F =
d=

5. The SI unit of moment is the ___________________ and the moment of a force is a

___________________________.

Example—Calculate the moment exerted by each force below.

(a)

(b)

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 2 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau
Calculating moments of a force and determining turning effect

Diagram Moments Turning effects

(clockwise/anticlockwise
/nil)

pivot

2m

200 N

2m

1.7m
pivot
200 N

Balancing objects

A Pivot B

0.5 m 0.2 m
500 N 800 N

(a) Look at the diagram above, calculate the turning effects exerted due to the weight of the two boys.

(b) What will happen? _________________________________________________

(c) If it is not balanced, what must happen in order for it to become balanced?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 3 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done
by Ms Jenny Lau
NOTES 5.2

LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
• State the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium
• Apply the principle of moments to new situations or to solve related problems

Recall last lesson on turning effects of forces where Boy A and Boy B sits on a see‐saw.

A Pivot B

0.5 m 0.2 m
500 N 800 N

In order for Boy A to balance the movement of the see‐saw, he has to move towards the pivot.
When the see‐saw is balanced, this state of the motion is said to be in ________________________.

Can you recall the formula required to determine the moments exerted by each boy?

Moment =

Principle of Moments
When objects experiencing turning forces are in a state of balance, we say that the turning effects of
forces on the object is balanced.

We use the Principle of Moments to describe this.

The Principle of Moments states that ________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

For calculations, we can write that:

Based on principle of moments,

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 4 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau
Let’s try some examples!

1. A father and son sitting on opposite sides of a see‐saw balance each other. Find the weight W of the
father.

2. The figure below shows a balanced uniform beam supported at its center.

What is the required distance x to balance it?

3. Look at diagram below where a beam is acted by several forces.

If P is the pivot, will it be balanced?

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 5 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau
NOTES 5.3

LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
• Show understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known
as its centre of gravity
• Describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the stability of
objects

Try taking your ruler & balance it using your finger. Can you balance the ruler? If so, at
how many cm mark?

Define Centre of Gravity

Regular Shaped Objects

Disk Ring Cube

Dumbbell Cylinder

Regular shaped objects are of ______________ density and ________________.

Note: For regular shaped objects, the centre of gravity is at the __________________________
____________________________ and the centre of gravity can even lie _________ the object.

Irregular Shaped Objects

Centre of gravity of an irregular shaped objects can be obtained using the _________________________.

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 6 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau
Finding C.G. of IRREGULAR objects such as an irregular lamina or metal plate:

Finding c.g. of an irregular lamina using

………………………………………………….

Fig 5.22

Fig 5.23

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 7 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau
What is stability?

Stability refers to ________________________________________________________________. There

are 3 types of way to describe stability of an object.

Three Types of Equilibrium

1) Stable Equilibrium

W W C

When the object is slightly displaced, it ____________________________________.

Note that when you tilt the object,

• The centre of gravity ______________ and then ______________ back again when the object is
released.
• The line of action of the weight W lies ________________ the base area of the object.
• The ____________________ moment of the weight W about the point of contact C causes the
object to return to its original position.

2) Unstable Equilibrium

W
C W
W
When the object is slightly displaced, it ____________________________________

Note that when you tilt the object,

• Its centre of gravity _______________________________________________________
• The line of action of the weight W lies ________________ the base area of the object.
• The _______________ moment of the weight W about the contact C causes the toppling effect.

3) Neutral Equilibrium

C C
W W
When the object is slightly displaced, it ____________________________________
Note that when you tilt the object,
• Its centre of gravity ___________________________________________; it remains the
____________________ above the table supporting it.
• There is ___________________ provided by the weight W about the poi8nt of contact to turn the
object.
Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 8 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done
by Ms Jenny Lau
How to Increase Stability

There are two ways to increase the stability of an object:

1) __________________ its centre of gravity
2) __________________ the area of base.

Examples

(i) Double decker buses

Which is more stable when the bus goes
around a turn?

60 passengers
40 passengers

40 passengers
60 passengers

A B

(ii) Racing car

Why do racing cars have a wide base?

Notes 5‐ Turning effects of forces Pg 9 Edit by Mr Melvin/ Done

by Ms Jenny Lau